Online Harm? Uncovering Experiences of (in)Visible Appearance-Based Trolling and Hostility
Lauren Doyle · 2024
Online and hatred towards disabled people remains an under-researched area within criminological literature. An area not heavily considered within this is hate and hostility directed at disabled people because of their self-image, and more general appearance. Through an intersectional lens, this chapter will explore the representation of ‘ideal appearance’ and self-esteem promoted through the online space, and the way in which a disabled person&s;s identity may impact the way they perceive their own body image; as well as the role the internet and experiences of online hate may play within this. This may be through direct experiences of hate, or indirect experiences through the representation of hate, ‘othering’ language and normalised ‘banter’ in the online space. This chapter will compose a thematic juxtaposition of intended strategies within the Draft Online Safety Bill under consideration by the UK Government, with existing academic literature, government reports and recent political propositions for change. The findings of this chapter highlight the need for the ontological implications of a move to criminalising online harms. Concluding that social media platforms remain unfit for the original purpose they were designed to fulfil as a supportive, communicative, networking tool.